Capitol Christian Music Group
Release Date: November 15th 2019
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Chris Tomlin– Christmas Day: Christmas Songs Of Worship (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Christmas Day (feat. We The Kingdom)
- His Name Is Wonderful
- Little Drummer Boy
- Hope Of Israel
How much Christmas music is too much? That is the question as we approach Chris Tomlin’s latest effort Christmas Day: Christmas Songs Of Worship. While Chris Tomlin is a worship leader that has divided many, in terms of many believing that he is right now settling into mediocrity and just ‘phoning it in’ or ‘going through the motions’; he has nonetheless written and release many hits such as songs like “Forever”, “We Fall Down”, “The Wonderful Cross”, “How Great Is Our God”, “Our God”, “Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone”, “Indescribable”, “Holy Is The Lord”, “Famous One”, “Enough”, “Jesus Messiah”, “I Will Rise”, “I Lift My Hands”, “God’s Great Dance Floor”, “Whom Shall I Fear?”, “Jesus Loves Me” and “Waterfall”. When one hears a Chris Tomlin song, guaranteed sound and biblical lyrics are front and centre, as well as an inspiring message and a Holy Spirit infused melody. I guess that’s why most of Chris’s songs sound somewhat similar to each other and somewhat similar to the state of CCM back when he started- simply because Chris’s predominant focus isn’t on staying current musically but rather on the lyrics. But from a few songs here and there on Holy Roar as well as a couple on Never Lose Sight; it’s clear that maybe Chris need a tad more inspiration- as what I’m feeling are songs that I can’t connect to for whatever reason. No fault of Chris’s however, this is where I stand when it comes to Chris’s new project Christmas Day: Christmas Songs Of Worship.
Having already released Adore (2015) and Glory In The Highest (2009), Chris unveiled Christmas Day: Christmas Songs Of Worship in November this year, comprising of 3 original tracks and one well known carol. But as much as Chris is enthusiastic and passionate, this release isn’t enjoyable at all and I’m not feeling it. I don’t know if it’s Christmas music saturation, or even if it is that I simply need more time to warm up to a Chris Tomlin song; but the fact of the matter is that these four songs are pretty average, mediocre, nothing special. Shudder to think that I’d actually have something bad to say about a Chris Tomlin record, but in this case it’s the truth. This blip in the radar isn’t enough to sway me from checking out any future songs/albums/EPs from Chris though- it only dissuades me from listening to this EP, and instead pushes me more in the direction of Adore and Glory In The Highest.
With “Hope Of Israel” sounding very lullabyish, “Little Drummer Boy” technically sound but definitely not as engaging as versions from Lincoln Brewster and Pentatonix, and “His Name Is Wonderful” solid but not spectacular; it seems that the EP opener and title track “Christmas Day” is the only bright spot on a release that is entirely forgettable. Chris and We The Kingdom sing together in perfect harmony, and deliver probably one of Chris’s standout original Christmas songs ever. But an EP cannot be judged on solely the first song. Thus now here we are, wishing that Chris would record these songs better to perfection. But as we can’t do anything about it, let me say before I finish up, is to place all knowledge of these songs (Excluding the title track) at the back of your mind and try to forget about them. That’s the only way we’ll survive this Christmas period I reckon. Anyway, as Christmas is just under a week away, what should you do? Yep, that’s right! Listen to Chris Tomlin’s Christmas music. and not this EP, but the other two! Have you promised? Alright, cool, have a merry Christmas everyone!
3 songs to listen to: Christmas Day, His Name Is Wonderful, Little Drummer Boy
Score: 1.5/5
RIYL: Crowder, Kristian Stanfill, Christy Nockels, Jesus Culture, Meredith Andrews